Container and coacting and self-fastening cap therefor



ENING vGAP THEREFOR May 17, 1932. A. RAGAN CONTAINER AND COACTING AND SELF FAST Filed Sept. 29, 1928 F] E Lows A. RAGAN INVENTOR ATTORNEY ping liquid anhydrous ammonia.

Patented May 17, 1932 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Louis ARTHUR BAGAN, or sT. LOUIS, MIssoURI, AssIGnOR To THE BARRETT COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY GONTAINRR AND COAC'IING AND sELF FAsTE'NINGoAP THEREFOR Application filed September 29, 1928. Serial No. 309,245,

This invention relates to closures for containers, such as ammonia cylinders and the like, and more particularly to self-fastemng covers for the ends of tanks used for ship'- These tanks have their ends depressed inwardly Where the valve for the release or discharge of the contents is attached. Across this dished end it has been customary to place a m cover or cap to protect the valve parts which are easily injured. Such cover must be capable of being attached and detached readily.

The closures previously used on tanks for the transportation of liquid ammonia have 3 been retained onthe end of the tank by means of a cooperating lug and screw, the latter being the adjustable member. To attach such cover, it was necessary to place the same in position and then tighten the screw, an

operation which required an appreciable interval of time, say from to 60 seconds. Where a large number of such tanks are to be prepared for shipment, it will be seen that the time consumed is considerable. Simi- 25 larly, in emptying the tank, an equal delay is experienced.

An important object of this invention is to provide means of attaching the cap or cover plate customarily used to protect the .10 valve mechanism of tanks or containers such as those commonly used for storage or shipment of anhydrous ammonia so that said cap or cover may be easily attached or detached. The cap coacts with the side extensions on the container thus being securely held in powhich set forth the preferred embodiment of my invention:

Fig. 1 is a plan viewiof a cover in place on. a tank.

Fig. 2 is a view in cross sectional elevation l alon the lines 2-2 of Fi 1,-showin the closure, locking plunger and upper portion of thetank.

The tank or container 1 is preferably formed integral with a concave head 2 and with upwardly sloping extensions 3 which slope inwardly toward a point located without the container or tank. In the center of the concave head is the valve 4 through which the contents of the tank or container may be discharged or whereby the tank may be charged.

The cap or cover comprises a body portion or plate 5 of circular shape and su'fli-siently large to extend slightly over the upper edge of the rim of the cylinder on which it rests.

The plate 5 is formed with an integral raised portion 6 providing a handle by which the cover may be pressed into place or' withdrawn when the valve is to be opened. EX- tending from this raised portion to the cover itself, is a. hollow cylinder 7 which thus forms an angle with the plane of the cover. Within the cylinder is a plunger 8 held against the inner sloping wall of the tank by spring 9.

Apin 1O sliding inthe groove 11 in the wall of the cylinder 7 prevents the plunger from leaving the containing cylinder. Theplunger may be retracted manually by means of the pin 10, and while in retracted position the cap may; be inserted in position and then the plunger released, whereupon the cap is held in position by lug 12 integral with the cap and by the spring pressed plunger. This operation takesbut a moment as compared' with the old screw type which takes up" to a minute to secure the cap in place.

. The outer end of the plunger is bevelled where it presses against the tank' wall, this construction permitting the cap to be removed simply by exerting an outward pull on the cap.

Removal of the cover is thus even more simple than its insertion, requiring only a strong pull to cause the bevelled side of the plunger'to slide along the sloping portion of the tank, the plunger thus being forced inwardly until the wall is cleared.

Although there has been set forth above the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is desired that the same be not limited thereby except as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A container having in combination, opposed extensions on an outer surface thereof, one of said extensions having its inner surface sloping inwardly toward a point located without the container, a cover plate having a lug adapted to engage with the inner surface of one extension and a spring-actuated plunger adapted to engage with the said extension which has an inwardly sloping surface whereby the cover plate is maintained in position on the container by the said lug and plunger.

2. A container having in combination, opposed extensions on an outer surface thereof, one of said extensions having its inner surface sloping inwardly toward a point located with out the container, a cover plate having a lug adapted to engage with the inner surface of one extension and a spring-actuated plunger having a bevelled surface adapted to engage with the inner surface of the said extension having a sloping surface, whereby the cover plate is maintained in position on the container by the said lug and plunger.

3. In combination with a container having an end rim with its inner surface sloping inwardly toward a point located without the container, a cover plate coacting with said rim comprising a body, a lug adapted to engage with the inner surface of said rim, and a spring-actuated plunger oppositely positioned to the lug and adapted to contact with the said rim, whereby the cover plate may be withdrawn from the rim without manual retraction of the plunger.

at. In combination with a container having a head and an end rim surrounding said head with its inner surface sloping inwardly toward a point located without the container, a cover plate comprising a body, a lug adapted to engage with the inner surface of said rim, a hollow cylindrical portion integral with said cover plate and at an angle to the plane thereof and a spring-actuated plunger within said cylinder adapted to engage said rim in locking position.

5. In combination with a container having ahead and an end rim surrounding said head with its inner surface sloping inwardly toward a point located without the container, a cover plate comprising a body, a lug adapted to engage with the inner surface of said rim, a hollow cylindrical portion integral with said cover plate and at an angle to the plane thereof and a spring-actuated plunger within said cylinder having its outer end bevelled to the same angle as the inner surface of said rim whereby to engage said rim in locking position.

6. In combination with a container having an end rim with its inner surface sloping inwardly toward a point located without the container, a cover plate comprising a body, a lug adapted to engage with the inner surface of said rim, and a spring-actuated plunger bevelled at its point of contact with the said rim whereby the rim and cover plate are locked together in slidable relation.

7. In combination with a container having an end rim with its inner surface sloping i11- wardly toward a point located without the container, a cover plate comprising a body, a lug adapted to engage with the inner surface of said rim, a hollow cylindrical portion integral with said cover plate and at an angle to the plane thereof and a spring-actuated plunger within said cylinder adapted to engage said rim in looking yet slidable position.

8. In combination with a container having an end rim with its inner surface sloping inwardly toward a point located without the container, a cover plate coacting with said rim comprising a body, a lug adapted to engage with the inner surface of said rim, and a spring-actuated plunger bevelled at its point of contact with the said rim, whereby the cover plate may be withdrawn from the rim without manual retraction of the plunger.

9. In combination with a container having an end rim with its inner surface sloping inwardly toward a point located without the container, a cover plate coacting with said rim comprising a body, a lug adapted to engage with the inner surface of said rim, and a spring-actuated plunger bevelled at its point of contact with the said rim arranged so that the bevelled surface follows the inner surface of the rim.

10. In combination with a container having an extension on an outer surface thereof, said extension having its inner surface sloping inwardly toward a point located without the container, a cover plate for said container comprising a slidable member arranged to engage the inner surface of said extension to securely maintain the cover plate in closed position on said container, the inner inwardly-sloping surface of said extension being arranged to cooperate with said slidable member to permit prompt removal of the cover plate without requiring manual operation of the slidable member.

11; In combination with a container having an end rim with its inner surface sloping inwardly toward a point located. without/the container, a cover plate comprising a body, a lug depending from the body adapted to engage with the inner surface of said rim, a hollow cylindrical portion integral with said cover plate and at an angle to the plane thereof, a handle portion positioned above the body of the cover plate and disposed to form a continuation of the end of the hollow cylindrical portion remote from the body, said handle portion being arranged to overlie a Valve structure located centrally of said container, and a spring actuated plunger within said cylindrical portion adapted to engage said rim to maintain the cover plate in closed position on said container.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

LOUIS ARTHUR RAGAN. 

